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until the 54th Annual Whitney M Young Jr Awards Dinner

Meet the Leaders

GPUL's "Meet The Leaders" town hall series takes the opportunity to speak with various community, civic and business leaders about key topics impacting our community. This program is sponsored by our Community Partners.

Did you know that
17% of 9th grade students in Arizona will graduate from a four-year college by 2028.

The Greater Phoenix Urban League's Education Programs are working to address this issue.

COVID-19 Notice Affecting Hours of Operation

Dear Community Members,

Due to the growing developments of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and following the recommendations of the State of Arizona, we are announcing that our office will be only open by appointment only on Monday's 9AM-2:30PM, effective April 1st, 2020 till further notice. All Urban League related events and workshops have been postponed and will be rescheduled.

The safety of our clients and community partners is our top priority. We know the need for our services or resources does not stop because of the Coronavirus, for this reason, schedule your appointments by phone at (602)254-5611. For Applications for AHCCCS, SNAP or Kids Care (602) 254-6162 and WIC (866) 960-0633 or 7thavewic@maricopa.gov.

Thank you for continue to be patient with us as we assess what our next steps will be moving past April and into the Summer. Most importantly please follow safety procedures as directed by the CDC, when at home, your place of work, or a grocery store. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf

New hours: Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

-Greater Phoenix Urban League

Our Mission

The mission of Greater Phoenix Urban League is to be an agent of change; to support minorities and those in need in achieving economic and social equality through programs in economic empowerment, housing, education, civic engagement, and health and wellness.

The GPUL is one of 90 affiliates of the National Urban League . It is part of a movement to ensure civil rights for the underserved and empower communities across America through direct services and programming.

About the Greater Phoenix Urban League

Established in 1945, the Greater Phoenix Urban League, Inc. is one of the 90 affiliates of the National Urban League. GPUL supports minority families and underserved populations by providing connections to employment, housing, job training, health care, and education. Since our founding, we have served more than 100,000 individuals and continue to develop and expand our programs as we further the Urban League Movement in the greater Phoenix area, changing lives, and empowering communities.

Today, vast disparities continue to exist in the United States leaving generation after generation facing a cycle of poverty with deficient educational standards, unacceptably high unemployment, limited access to quality healthcare, and deplorable housing conditions.

At the Greater Phoenix Urban League we help disenfranchised and underserved groups to meet their immediate basic needs such as job placements and access to health care. The role of the Greater Phoenix Urban League is to provide these communities with the tools to empower themselves, providing opportunities to those caught in the cycle of poverty to change their lives.

What We Do

The Greater Phoenix Urban League, Inc. supports minority families and underserved populations by providing connections to employment, housing, job training, health care and education, as well as serving as a voice of the underrepresented.

Housing

GPUL is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency providing support to help individuals secure and maintain their housing through direct services. 
 
 

Education

GPUL's Head Start program provides developmentally appropriate early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families in safe, nurturing and supportive environments.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The GPUL Employment Program objectives include developing and maintaining a network of diverse employers, identifying & preparing candidates for an employment search and placing candidates in sustainable positions.

TOMORROW'S LEADERS

Founded in 2005, the mission of the GPUL Young Professionals is to serve as a vehicle for those aged 21-40 to become active in the greater Phoenix community and to provide opportunities for development, engagement, and empowerment.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

GPUL works as part of the Urban League movement to empower all people to take an active role in determining the direction, quality of life, public policy and leadership in their communities by full participation as citizens and voters, as well as through active community service and leadership development.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Every member of our community deserves access to quality and affordable healthcare solutions. GPUL is working to build healthy and safe communities to eliminate health disparities through prevention, education, as well as ensuring complete access to affordable health care for all people.

Thank You to All of Our Sponsors and Donors

The GPUL would like to thank all of our sponsors, partners, and donors. Be a part of a great group of givers by donating to one of our programs.

GIVE TO EMPOWER

Make a Difference — Make a Donation

Essential financial support for GPUL programs and services is provided through donations by private individuals, associations, foundations, and businesses that believe in our mission. GPUL is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-exempt organization. Donors may claim tax deductions for their financial contributions.

BECOME A MEMBER

Join the movement- become a member of the Greater Phoenix Urban League. When you become a member of GPUL, you help support the tradition of providing community outreach and services for those in need in the Valley of the Sun.

VOLUNTEER

"Service is the very purpose of life. It is the rent we pay for living on the planet." — Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund. By volunteering, you personally invest in improving the lives of those in need around you.

George Dean

President & CEO

As the President and CEO, Mr. Dean has diligently and impressively brought a troubled affiliate back to community visibility, responsiveness to issues, and sound fiscal accountability. He has been a staff member on the Urban League for 25 years, using his leadership to focus on advocacy towards issues affecting the African-American and minority community on education, training, job placement, and economic development.

Jessica Raymond

Board Chair

Jessica Raymond is the Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Celtic Property Management, LLC, and the Executive Vice President of Atlantic Development & Investments, Inc. Jessica earned her PhD in Social Policy from Trinity College Dublin and has worked in the affordable housing field since 2010. A National Association of Homebuilders Housing Credit Certified Professional, she holds a general contractors license in Colorado and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.

Sherry McFadden

Vice Chair

Sherry joined State Farm in 1991 as a Fire claim representative in Orlando, FL. In 1994, she was promoted to HR representative and moved to Jacksonville; FL. Sherry furthered her career in HR as a field representative in New Orleans, LA. She was promoted to an Assistant HR Manager in 1999 and returned to the Florida Zone. Sherry continued her development by broadening her experiences as a LDA - Auto Claim Central and as a Team Manager - Fire Underwriting in 2005. In 2008, Sherry was promoted to Section Manager - Auto Claim Central in the Great Lakes Zone. She was promoted to her current position, Director of the Customer Care Center - Service in Tempe, AZ, October 2012. Sherry has attained her CPCU, CLU, FLMI, and AIC designations. Sherry has a BS Degree in Economics from Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS; and a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville. Sherry has two children, Chelsea and Joshua. She is currently involved with the Greater Phoenix Urban League working with high schools students to prepare for college and manage their finances.

David Weatherwax

Treasurer. Attorney at Sherman & Howard, LLC

'David Weatherwax is currently a member of the Sherman & Howard trial and litigation practice group. He has more than 35 years of experience, successfully representing many local, national, and international secured lenders and other creditors. He had been recognized by Chambers USA in 2015 and Best Lawyers in America in 2010, 2011, and 2013-2015.

Kneko Burney

CEO & Chief Creative, Chnage3 Enterprises, LLC

Ms. Burney is a serial entrepreneur, becoming one of the leading B2B experts for the telecom and high-tech industries, as well as an emerging figure in the intersection of digital technology and everyday life. As founder & CEO of Change3 Enterprises (2011), founder of Eyesoda.com (2007), and co-founder of Compass Intelligence (2005), Ms. Burney leverages her skills to create and grow innovative, new businesses.

Matthew D. Derr

Administrator/Corporate Public Affairs - Southwest Gas Corporation

Matthew D. Derr works for Southwest Gas Corporation as an Administrator/Corporate Public Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for government affairs work on behalf of the company with the legislative and executive branches in Arizona. Mr. Derr also oversees the company's state political action committee and manages the company's community affairs efforts in Central Arizona. Prior to coming to Southwest Gas, Mr. Derr served as the Deputy Director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, where he was responsible for the agency's annual highway safety plans, strategic planning and budget development. Prior to his appointment at Highway Safety, he served as Campaign Manager for the Jim Ogsbury for Congress Campaign. There he was responsible for the formulation and execution of budgets, development of the campaign message and communications plan, and formulation of the overall campaign strategy and fundraising. He has extensive experience serving in senior staff positions for a number of Arizona elected officials, having served as the Policy Advisor to Commissioner Kris Mayes of the Arizona Corporation Commission, advising the Commissioner on multi-million dollar utility rate cases and energy policy issues, and as Deputy District Director and Political Director for former U.S. Congressman J.D. Hayworth. Mr. Derr received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Political Science from Arizona State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Tina Marie Tentori

Community Affairs and the APS Foundation, APS

Tina Marie Tentori is Executive Director, the Arizona Public Service Company (APS) Foundation and Director, Community Affairs. Tina Marie's responsibilities include providing strategy development and implementation of the Corporate Giving, Corporate Foundation, Employee/Retiree Volunteer programs, Community Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. She provides oversight of statewide philanthropic programs and strategies, community outreach, relationship development and employee/retiree engagement activities. Prior to this role, Tina Marie served as the Director, Organization and Leadership Effectiveness and Strategic Workforce Planning which provided strategic leadership in the areas of leadership and talent development, diversity, employee engagement, culture and change management. She joined APS in 2011. Prior to joining APS, Tina Marie's career spans 22 years where she held positions in operations, sales and marketing, and accounting with various organizations. Most recently, she served for 17 years with a multi-national talent management and diversity consulting organization, INROADS, Inc. Tina Marie served as the Chief Operations Officer, overseeing operations for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Her main responsibility was to grow the business and revenues while ensuring excellent customer service and delivery with Fortune 500 companies. She was a member of the senior executive team and served on the Strategic Planning Committee of the Board of Directors. Tina Marie, a resident of Arizona since 1996, has served as a volunteer for the Phoenix Arts Grants Review Commission, Business Volunteers for the Arts, Ballet Arizona, and ChildHelp USA and also currently serves as a Partner with Social Venture Partners and as a Board Member for Make-a-Wish Arizona and Valley Leadership. She is a proud alumnus of National Hispana Leadership Institute, Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government's Executive Leadership Program, the Center for Creative Leadership and Valley Leadership, Community Connections. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts – Boston and a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix in Organizational Management.

YOLANDA STOKES

Business Initiatives Manager, VP Wells Fargo

Ms. Stokes is an experienced leader, with expertise in organizational management, team building, recruiting, staff development, motivation, and conflict resolution. She has been proven successful in providing direction, leadership and guidance to resources in a matrixed organization. She has a strong personal commitment to build successful business partnerships.

Dr. James Rund

Senior VP, Educational Outreach and Student Services, Arizona State University

James Rund is Senior Vice President for Educational Outreach and Student Services at Arizona State University (ASU). His responsibilities include oversight of student services at all four ASU campuses and university outreach efforts including educational partnerships. Dr. Rund has served in various administrative capacities at ASU including Dean of Student Development, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, and Vice President for University Undergraduate Initiatives, and Interim Dean and Director of the Mary Lou Fulton Institute and Graduate School of Education. He is associate professor in Higher Education, Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. Dr. Rund holds his Doctor of Education in Higher and Adult Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from North Dakota State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Moorhead State University.

Brenda Nelson

Founder, Academy of Excellence

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John Jacobs

Exec VP, Willis Towers Watson

John Jacobs is an Executive Vice President based in the Phoenix office of Willis Towers Watson. He is responsible for strategic direction of insurance and risk management issues for clients representing a variety of industries, with emphasis on the real estate/hospitality, manufacturing, aviation and health care sectors.

John has over 30 years' experience in the risk management and insurance industries. Twice, John was recognized by Risk & Insurance as a Power Broker and was noted as a tireless advocate for his clients. Also, for the past 29 years he has qualified for the Willis Exceptional Producers Council. John is known in the industry for designing, marketing and servicing competitive insurance programs for local, national and international accounts. He is known as an aggressive negotiator with insurance companies on behalf of his clients. He leads a team whose members have worked together for a long time. They are therefore able to provide the best in cohesive, coordinated and cooperative client service. His current client list includes Deere & Co., American Airlines, MGM Resorts International, Republic Services, Providence Service Corporation, Matrix Medical Network and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona.

Contact Us

Phone: 602-254-5611   Fax: 602-253-7359

Address: 1402 S Seventh Ave, Phoenix AZ, 85007



    The Greater Phoenix Urban League has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the USDA. This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

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